PRATT, Kan. (AP) — A man suspected of killing and wounding people in Mississippi, New Mexico and Kansas in February has pleaded guilty to charges arising from the Kansas case.

Alex Bridges Deaton, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, pleaded guilty Friday to attempted first-degree murder and aggravated robbery stemming from the shooting of a convenience store clerk in Pratt in March. Two other charges were dropped. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Deaton is charged in Rankin County, Mississippi, with first-degree murder, auto theft, and drive-by shooting. He’s accused of strangling his girlfriend, stealing her car, and shooting a jogger in February.

He’s also suspected in the killing of a woman cleaning a church in Neshoba County, Mississippi.

He also allegedly carjacked a couple in New Mexico before fleeing to Kansas and shooting the clerk.

SEATTLE (AP) — A federal grand jury has brought the first bank robbery and weapons charges against a man the FBI says is the “AK-47 bandit” who held up banks in five states.

The indictment filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle accuses 39-year-old Richard Gathercole of Roundup, Montana, of using an AK-47 rifle to steal $15,000 in North Bend, Washington, in 2012.

That is one of at least six banks Gathercole is suspected of robbing since 2012.

Gathercole is being held in Lexington, Nebraska, on unrelated charges that he fired on a Kansas state trooper who was trying

to pull him over last month on Interstate 70 Northwest Kansas.

FBI agents found seven homemade bombs in a raid of his Montana home.

It is not clear whether Gathercole has hired an attorney for the federal case.

COMANCHE COUNTY – Family and friends of a 12-year-old girl who drowned on Tuesday are working to help support the family.

Searchers with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism found the body of Mercedes Natalie Fierro Leyva shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, more than two hours after the she went missing while swimming at Coldwater Lake.

On Thursday, friends established a GoFundMe page to assist the family with expenses.

Coldwater Lake is about 130 miles west of Wichita.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s second official visit to Europe (all times local):

4:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump appeared informal and relaxed; Russian President Vladimir Putin was steely.

The first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders was the spotlight of an international summit in Hamburg, Germany, Friday, amid tensions between the two countries over Russian involvement in the U.S. presidential election.

Trump said that his discussions with Putin are “going very well.”

Speaking through a translator, Putin said they had spoken over the phone several times on “important bilateral and international issues,” but that phone calls are “never enough.” He said a face-to-face meeting is important to fostering “positive relations.”

Trump says, “We look forward to a lot of very positive things happening for Russia and the United States.”

 

I look forward to all meetings today with world leaders, including my meeting with Vladimir Putin. Much to discuss.#G20Summit #USA🇺🇸

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 7, 2017

While they were talking, officials announced the United States and Russia reached an agreement for a cease-fire in southwest Syria. The cease-fire is set to take effect July 9 at noon Damascus time.

5:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of renegotiating a longstanding continental trade agreement in a meeting with his Mexican counterpart.

The White House said in a statement Friday that Trump and President Enrique Pena Nieto discussed ways “to help workers in both countries” as part of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The statement says the leaders also discussed regional challenges, including drug trafficking, illegal migration, and the crisis in Venezuela. It does not say whether they discussed Trump’s proposed U.S.-Mexican border wall.

A readout from the Mexican government said the two men underscored “the importance of modernizing” NAFTA in a way that “results in tangible benefits for the economies and societies of North America.”

Trump and Pena Nieto met on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.

___

4:10p.m.

After months of anticipation and intrigue, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are sitting down for their first meeting.

The two exchanged brief pleasantries earlier Friday on the sideline of the G-20 summit of industrialized and developing nations.

Up front, Trump said he anticipates “a lot of positive things happening, for Russia, for the United States.”

Their first sit-down meeting is expected to last for about 30 minutes and touch upon several complex issues, from the Syrian conflict to Russia’s provocations in Ukraine.

However, the meeting also falls under the shadow of accusations that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election — and Trump is under pressure to raise those concerns with Putin in their first meeting.

Trump, on Thursday, said he believes Russia may have interfered in the election, but he said that he believes other countries may have been involved as well.

___

3:28 p.m.

President Donald Trump was on the far left fringe at the Group of 20 summit — of the leaders’ group photo, that is.

Trump’s position as an outlier was merely a matter of protocol. Pride of place goes to the so-called G20 troika, consisting of current host German Chancellor Angela Merkel flanked by the host of the next meeting, Argentina’s Mauricio Macri, and the host of the last one, China’s Xi Jinping.

Trump wound up out on the wing between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and French President Emmanuel Macron. He has even less seniority than Trump does after being elected in May.

___

2:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump is hailing Mexico’s president as his “friend” in their first face-to-face meeting since Trump took office.

Trump met with President Enrique Pena Nieto on the sidelines of an international summit in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday.

Pena Nieto was scheduled to be among Trump’s first international White House guests but abruptly canceled the visit after a public spat over Trump’s proposed border wall.

Trump maintains that he will build the border wall to keep drugs and criminals out of the U.S. — although those plans still remain unclear. He said Friday that he “absolutely” wants Mexico to pay for the wall.

Pena Nieto insists Mexico will not pay for the wall.

Trump said, “it’s great to be with my friend the president of Mexico”

Pena Nieto said he hopes to continue a “flowing dialogue.”

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first encounter at a leaders’ retreat in Hamburg, Germany was caught on tape.

The two leaders were seen shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries ahead of their planned formal, sit-down meeting in video posted to Facebook by the German Cabinet.

As officials gathered around a table, Trump outstretched his hand to Putin and then patted his elbow. Both men smiled.

Another brief video clip shows Trump casually patting Putin on the back as they stand side by side.

——-

President Donald Trump is holding talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The leaders are meeting during an international summit taking place in Hamburg, Germany. It’s their first meeting since Trump became president.

Pena Nieto had planned to be among the first leaders to visit Trump at the White House. But Pena Nieto canceled at the last minute due to disagreement over Trump’s insistence that Mexico pay for a wall Trump campaigned on building along the U.S.-Mexico border to deter illegal immigration.

Pena Nieto says Mexico will not pay.

Trump has vowed to tighten border security while cracking down on undocumented workers and drug cartels. But he has been less insistent about Mexico footing the bill for the wall.

___

1:28 p.m.

Anti-globalization protesters are keeping U. S. first lady Melania Trump from joining the spouses of world leaders attending an international summit in Germany.

Mrs. Trump’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, says Hamburg police haven’t cleared the first lady to leave the government guest house where she and President Donald Trump spent the night because of the protesters.

Spouses typically get together while leaders are in meetings during international summits like these.

Friday’s program for the spouses included a boat ride, lunch and a tour of a climate control center.

 

Thinking of those hurt in #Hamburg protests. Hope everyone stay safe! #G20

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) July 7, 2017

Mrs. Trump tweeted that she was thinking of those who were hurt during protests that began Thursday.

She says she hopes everyone stays safe.

Anti-globalization activists have set dozens of cars ablaze and tried to block leaders’ delegations from entering the grounds of the Group of 20 summit. Police have said at least 111 officers were hurt during Thursday’s clashes.

___

1:18 p.m.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first encounter at a leaders’ retreat in Hamburg, Germany was caught on tape.

The two leaders were seen shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries ahead of their planned formal, sit-down meeting in video posted to Facebook by the German Cabinet.

As officials gathered around a table, Trump outstretched his hand to Putin and then patted his elbow. Both men smiled.

Another brief video clip shows Trump casually patting Putin on the back as they stand side by side.

___

1:07 p.m.

President Donald Trump is participating in a photo-op with other world leaders at an international summit in Germany.

Trump stood in the first row as the Group of 20 world leaders posed for their official “family portrait.” It’s a longstanding tradition.

Trump was spotted speaking with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on his way into the event.

He later stood next to and chatted with French President Emmanuel Macron. Trump will be visiting Paris next week in honor of Bastille Day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stood on the opposite side of the stage.

___

12:12 p.m.

President Donald Trump was spotted chatting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May as he sat down with fellow world leaders for a discussion on fighting terrorism at a German summit.

Merkel and Trump sat next to each other and exchanged pleasantries at the opening session of the Group of 20 leaders’ summit Friday.

Trump also chatted with May, who was seated immediately to his left. Russian leader Vladimir Putin sat several seats away.

Trump has alienated some U.S. allies with his decision to pull the U.S. out of an international climate agreement and his tough talk on trade.

___

11:45 a.m.

The spokesman for Russian leader Vladimir Putin is shrugging off President Donald Trump’s call to reduce Russia’s dominance of the natural gas supply for Eastern Europe.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tells reporters, “There’s no energy monopoly in Europe” ahead of the planned meeting of the Russian and U.S. leaders in Hamburg, Germany.

Trump said in a speech in Poland Thursday that he wants to make sure Poland and its neighbors are “never again held hostage” to a single supplier of energy.

Peskov says: “All this will be decided by the market, it should not be decided politically.”

___

11:35 a.m.

The Kremlin says that President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have exchanged a handshake and a few words ahead of their sit-down at the G-20 summit.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin and Trump “shook hands and told each other that they will shortly have a separate meeting.”

Asked about Trump’s tweet that he’s looking forward to meeting with Putin and they have “much to discuss,” Peskov answered that the Russian president is also looking forward to the encounter.

The long-anticipated Putin-Trump meeting will be closely watched to see whether Trump brings up Russia’s meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The two presidents are expected to focus on the Syrian war, the Ukrainian crisis and the fight against terrorism.

___

10:40 a.m.

President Donald Trump is joining fellow world leaders at the first session of a two-day summit in Hamburg, Germany.

The meeting of leaders of the Group of 20 global economic powers opens Friday with a discussion on fighting terrorism — one of the least contentious subjects on an agenda that also includes global trade and climate.

The G-20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, France, Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman isn’t attending, and his country is represented by Ibrahim al-Assaf, the minister of state.

Also attending the summit are the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Guinea, Senegal, Singapore and Vietnam.

___

10:38 a.m.

President Donald Trump is tweeting that “everyone” in Hamburg, Germany is talking about the Democrats’ response to Russian election hacking ahead of his highly-anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump writes ahead of his arrival at the group of 20 summit: “Everyone here is talking about why John Podesta refused to give the DNC server to the FBI and the CIA. Disgraceful!”

Podesta was the former chair of Trump 2016 rival Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Podesta did not run the Democratic National Committee.

U.S. intelligent agencies have blamed the hacking of the DNC as well as Podesta’s personal email account on the Russian government.

____

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — Police and wildlife officials are keeping a lookout in the south-central Nebraska city of Hastings after a family there reported a coyote bit and tried to drag away a 1-year-old child.

Hastings Police Sgt. Brian Hessler says the attack happened around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday while the family was watching July Fourth fireworks. The incident follows weeks of reported sightings of coyotes in the city.

A police report says the coyote left marks on the boy’s back but quickly ran off. Officers searched but did not find a coyote in the area.

Police say the family, which has hunted coyotes, is certain it was not a dog.

The boy’s mother, Katrina Clodfelter, tells station KSNB that the boy was given a tetanus shot and will undergo a series of rabies shots.  Hastings is located 170 miles north of Salina.

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Two Kansas Highway Patrol officers were injured in an accident just after 12:30 a.m. Friday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Bell 407 Helicopter piloted by Captain Gregory S. Kyser, 54, Topeka, was landing at the KHP Hangar at Philip Billard Minicipal Airport, 3600 NE Sardou in Topeka.

The HP650 struck the hangar with the tail rotor, causing a hard landing on the west ramp.

Kyser, was taken to a hospital for observation and possible treatment. Co-pilot Ryan Nolte,36, Topeka,  was treated at a hospital for slight injuries.

Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

 

FINNEY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investing two more reports of Skimmers on ATMs at banks in Garden City.

Police, in a social media report, advised if you use an ATM machine be vigilant and look for suspicious activity especially if your card was difficult to insert into the card slot, goes into the card slot farther than normal, or feels like it is sticking in the machine when you pull it out.

Also look at the machine itself, if it appears the device has been tampered with around the area where the card is inserted, or the card reader area is loose.

It is also suggested that you conduct regular reviews of your bank account to make sure your information has not been stolen and report any suspicious activity to the police.

SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a November vehicle fire.

On November 7, authorities reported that a group of Kansas State-Polytechnic students found a 2000 GMC Yukon on fire in the 4800 block of South Centennial.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said that the vehicle belonged to 36-year-old Jennifer Vermillion, Salina, who reported it as stolen.

Sheriff Soldan said that an investigation revealed that Vermillion and Olsen were responsible for the fire and warrants were issued for their arrests. Vermillion was taken into custody on May 22, for arson, making false information and possession of marijuana.

Deputies booked 37-year-old Jason Olsen, Salina, into the Saline County Jail Wednesday evening on requested charges of arson and making false information.

He was serving time at Lansing Correctional Facility for an unrelated crime, according to Soldan. He was released Wednesday and transported to Salina.

The vehicle was valued at $2,000.

WICHITA -A man pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges he was part of an e-mail spoofing scheme that cost Sedgwick County more than $566,000, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

George S. James, 49, Brookhaven, Ga., pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

In his plea, James admitted that on Oct. 7, 2016, Sedgwick County sent approximately $566,088 to his bank account at a Wells Fargo bank in Georgia. James transferred part of the money he received from Sedgwick County to a bank account in Shanghai, China, and part of the money to an account at Deutsche Bank in Bremen, Germany. James also spent some of the money.

In his plea, James denied that the fraud scheme was his idea. He said that on Sept. 23, 2016, he was contacted by a person identified in court records as A.H., who asked to deposit some money into James’ account at Wells Fargo. James said he knew A.H. was engaged in fraud, but James denied knowing that Sedgwick County was the victim.

In his plea, James said it was A.H. – or someone working with A.H. – who sent an email to Sedgwick County on Sept. 23, 2016, purporting to be from Cornejo and Sons, LLC, and requesting the county send future payments to a new account number at Wells Fargo. On Oct. 7, 2016, the county sent $566,088 to James’ account at Wells Fargo. The county learned later that Cornejo did not request the change of account and did not receive the payment.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 21. He faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

5:50 p.m.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has undergone surgery for “the management of infection” and remains in serious condition.

That’s the word Thursday from MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where the Louisiana congressman has been since he was grievously wounded last month when a gunman opened fire at a baseball practice.

The hospital says Scalise tolerated the surgery well. It had issued a statement late Wednesday saying Scalise had been readmitted to the intensive care unit and had downgraded his condition from fair to serious.

Scalise and four other people were injured last month when a gunman opened fire on a Republican baseball practice in nearby Alexandria, Virginia. The 51-year-old congressman was struck in the hip and the bullet tore into blood vessels, bones and internal organs. He has had several surgeries.
——-

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington hospital where House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is recuperating from a gunshot wound says he has been readmitted to the intensive care unit.

MedStar Washington Hospital Center says the Louisiana congressman is back in intensive care because of new concerns for infection. Scalise was in serious condition Wednesday night.

Please join my family in praying for Steve, Jennifer and their kids. https://t.co/7IKhzo65Wu

— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) July 6, 2017

Scalise and four other people were injured last month when a gunman opened fire on a Republican baseball practice in nearby Alexandria, Virginia. U.S. Capitol Police and other officers returned fire and killed the gunman.

 

Please continue to pray for my friend @SteveScalise and his family. https://t.co/ajXWuKBUvd

— Lynn Jenkins (@RepLynnJenkins) July 6, 2017

 

The congressman was struck in the hip and the bullet tore into blood vessels, bones and internal organs. He has undergone several surgeries and had been upgraded to fair condition.

 

Clif Bar & Company is initiating a voluntary recall of CLIF® BUILDER’S® Bar Chocolate Mint flavor, and CLIF Kid Zbar® Protein Chocolate Mint and CLIF Kid Zbar® Protein Chocolate Chip flavors due to possible presence of undeclared peanuts and some tree nuts, including almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts and coconuts, according to a report from the FDA.

Cliff Bar & Company is taking this precautionary safety step for people who are allergic to peanuts and these listed tree nuts. People with an allergy to peanuts and these specific tree nuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction. The company is strongly advising consumers who have peanut and these specific tree nut allergies not to consume these bars.

Individuals who are not allergic to peanuts or these specific tree nuts may safely consume the products.

The affected products are sold in retail stores and online throughout the U.S.

Clif Bar discovered this issue when it received a small number of consumer complaints alleging peanut or tree nut allergic reactions. There are no confirmed illnesses associated with this recall.

The voluntary recall applies to products in all pack sizes and individual bars meeting the criteria found in the attached table. The affected “Best By” dates can be found on the back of individual packaging or caddies.

No other Clif Bar & Company products, pack sizes, flavors or ‘Best By’ date codes are affected.

The company is asking consumers to return product to the store where purchased to request an exchange or full refund if there is an allergy concern. Affected product should then be discarded in a secure place and not consumed.

For more information please visit here or contact 866-526-1970.

 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing a bank in Kansas City, Kan., U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Andre U. Randle, 37, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. In his plea, he admitted that on Feb. 1, 2017, he robbed the U.S. Bank at 10959 Parallel Parkway, in Kansas City, Kan.

According to court documents, he gave a clerk a note saying, “I have 2 guns. Don’t make me use them,” before leaving the bank with stolen cash in a purple pillow case. Officers of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department stopped his car in the 6900 block of Troop and arrested him.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 11. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.